TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Kayla Adorno (she/her/hers) is a performer, teaching artist, producer and playwright. She received her BA in Theatre from SDSU with an emphasis in Youth Theatre. Her work focuses on strengthening empathy, embracing oneself and one’s cultural identity, and supporting the community. Additionally, she works with Bocón and the San Diego Guild of Puppetry in teaching students the art of storytelling. You may also occasionally find her at local social dance events twirling to the sounds of latin music.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Daylon de Alva (he/him) is a San Diego native currently working towards his BA in Theatre at UCSD. Coming from a family of educators, Daylon has a deep belief in the importance and power of a holistic education and its role in slowing the cycle of generational trauma to create a healthier society for all. Daylon loves backpacking, rock climbing, and D&D.

ADMIN ASSISTANT /
ASSISTANT TEACHING ARTIST

Mayra Carrillo (she/her), originally from Fresno, CA, is currently pursuing her BA in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego as a first-generation college student. Raised by immigrant parents, her work centers around the Latinx struggle and is deeply committed to anti-racism and the production of culturally accurate storytelling. She hopes to continue to use theater as a tool for activism of all kinds and to be able to inspire the creative minds of today’s youth.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Marisol Castillo Laborde (she/her) is a teacher, actor, and emerging child and adolescent therapist passionate about helping youth become their best selves and accept each other. She understands that children are the future, and we should focus on giving them the tools to build healthy habits, healthy relationships, and genuine wellness.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Kandace Crystal (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker and currently serves in the Artistic Director roles at two theater companies. Kandace has done documentary and podcast work around topics of police violence in BIPOC communities. You can find her performing around San Diego. Kandace has a BFA in Acting from Florida State University and is a former mime.

PERFORMER

Jaeonnie Davis-Crawford (she/her) is a San Diego actor and director. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in general theatre arts. She has been passionate about the intersections of social justice and the arts for the entirety of her adult career, and has found a profound connection with Forum Theatre and its impact on its audiences.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Vanessa Duron (she/her) is a local actress/director/playwright/producer and teaching artist. She's a big advocate for mental illness and is passionate about putting BIPOC stories on stage. She believes in theater for social change and is excited to be part of Imagine.

TEACHING ARTIST

Giovanni Delgado Ferreira (he/him) is a teaching artist and actor operating out of San Diego. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Giovanni has been on dozens of productions since childhood. After graduating from Long Beach City College with an AA in Theatre Arts, he is continuing his education at SDSU, slated to finish this fall with a BA in Youth Theatre.

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT ADVISOR

Eunice Barnett Garcia (she/her) is an entrepreneurial leader who started her career in community organizing, building equity, and inclusion with diverse groups. She is passionate about the power of business to create greater understanding and belonging, while also improving profit and operations. She has been in business leadership in the areas of energy, sustainability and technology for 15 years.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Laura Hanna (she/her) started her work in theater and film as a performer when she was in middle school. Since then she continues to pursue performance as well as stage and film production. She is currently pursuing a degree in film and works with Imagine as a camera operator. Lately in her spare time, she enjoys beaches and is learning to surf.

PERFORMER

An Alaska-grown actor, director, and playwright, Taran Haynes (he/him) has been involved in over 20 theatrical productions, including Spamalot, Big River, And Then There Were None, Radium Girls, Poor Shem, and Frozen. He dreams of forging a career making collaborative theatre and telling stories of all kinds with like-minded professionals. Taran has also recently discovered the joys of indoor skydiving and plans to make it a significant part of his personality for as long as he can afford it.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Kaileykielle Hoga (she/her) is a performer and theatermaker passionate about empowering voices and supporting authentic creative spaces. Kaileykielle believes that theater is a tool for social change with the ability to develop minds and shape the world around us. She loves exploring new forms of storytelling and strives to challenge the bounds of what different modes of expression are capable of.

TEACHING ARTIST

Jack Mason-Brase (he/him) is an actor, teaching artist, and musician; alongside theatrical arts he also has a passion for visual arts, mutual aid, disability rights, and LGBTQ support, especially for the queer and trans youth that Imagine works with. Jack hopes to, through theater and other artistic expressions, help students to imagine each other complexly.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Bernardo Mazón Daher (he/him) is a border-brat bred in the San Diego South Bay. Bernardo makes art around the country in both premier, prestigious productions alongside grassroots, community-based projects. His work dovetails activism and art in pursuit of social progress. Bernardo is an all around storyteller driven to create spaces where different peoples can intersect to listen, learn, labor, love, and play together.

PERFORMER

Britney is a dabbler in all things creative. She enjoys acting, singing, dancing—anything that gets her creative mind working. She had her first theatrical role in 5th grade and fell in love with the stage. Britney loves to make people laugh and strives to be a friend to all. Her goal is to use her love of acting to teach and inspire others.

PROGRAM COORDINATION & TEACHING ARTIST

Ell Miller (they/them) holds their B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts from CSU San Marcos, and is a theater maker, educator and arts administration professional. Ell has acted, directed, produced, and written for local theaters and has taught with La Jolla Playhouse and The California Center for The Arts, Escondido. Ell's heartfelt goal is to inspire confidence, open-mindedness, empathy, and a little silliness in students to cultivate mutual trust and friendship through theater.

TEACHING ARTIST, CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST & PERFORMER

Wilfred Paloma (he/him) is a California-based artist with a M.A. in Theatre Arts at San Diego State University and a B.A. in Theatre Performance: Acting and Musical Theatre. Wilfred's work & practice centers diverse populations teaching and facilitating programs in Arts Integration, Discrete Arts and Arts Enrichment that span K-12 and as well as community workshops.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Bianca Pizarro (she/her) is a San Diego native with a BA in Theatre Arts at UCSD. She has had the great honor to work as Associate Director and Associate Producer for a multitude of new works varying from verbatim theatre, musicals and social justice theatre. Bianca also enjoys spending time with her bunny Mufasa and supports the San Diego House Rabbit Society.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Zach Porter (he/him) was born in San Diego and raised in Long Beach and Oceanside. He is an actor, film producer, and educator. After obtaining a BA in Theatre from Cal State Fullerton, he went on to work as an actor for tv and film. He also produced various film projects including commercials, short films, and music videos. With an overall goal of uplifting and inspiring, he recently discovered his passion for educating and is grateful to be part of the Imagine community.

TEACHING ARTIST

Aisleigh Bodie Reeves (she/her) is a theatre artist and somatic practitioner. She uses her transformative arts practice to co-create supportive and restorative learning spaces with students. Aisleigh teaches with Playwrights Project, facilitates workshops, and contributes to local productions as a producer, director, playwright and performer.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Hannah Reinert (she/her) is a San Diego based arts administrator, educator, and actor. A UCSD Theatre grad, she currently works full time at La Jolla Playhouse as the Learning & Engagement Manager where she facilitates and coordinates educational programs for learners of all ages, assists with local casting, and serves as a teaching artist. She works as a local actor, with credits ranging from community to regional theatre.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Marisa Scott (she/her) is an actor, singer and educator. She has been performing since she was six years old, regionally, nationally, and internationally. She has a BFA from Point Park University's Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Marisa loves that art displays both fantasies and truths and brings out the best in people. Marisa also dabbles in creative writing and exploring the world with family and friends.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Melanie Stanek (she/her) is a lifelong learner, traveler, and educator who believes in the power of art to unite, heal, and transform us. She holds a Master’s Degree in Peace and Justice from the University of San Diego and has taught English, theater, and music to students in Madagascar, Thailand, and Memphis. She loves dancing, yoga, and being in nature.

TEACHING ARTIST & PERFORMER

Andrew Shane Walters (he/him) is an actor, musician, and teacher in San Diego. With an AA from Santa Monica College and a BA from UCSD, both in Theatre, Andrew has been studying and performing since 2012. He has a strong passion for social justice theatre and teaches at several private schools. He also loves to write and record music.

CURRICULUM ADVISOR

Jessica Kim, ASW, (she/her/ella) is an advocate, speaker, and educator for domestic and international anti-trafficking initiatives, specializing in Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) of youth and the immigrant populations for over a decade. She is a survivor of international and domestic sex trafficking, a Mexican immigrant, and a member of the California Child Welfare Council’s CSEC Action Team Advisory Board—a board specializing in improving policy and practice to support young people impacted by CSE (Commercial Sexual Exploitation) and their families. Jessica holds a master's in Social Work degree from San Diego State University and uses her knowledge and passion towards social justice to empower survivors and educate communities on prevention, education, and inclusion. Her experience in curriculum development has been critical in the prevention of trafficking within the San Diego region.

CURRICULUM ADVISOR

Keelin Washington (she/her) has a passion in bring awareness and recovery to survivors of sex trafficking in the San Diego area. She is currently completing her Social Work and Psychology dual-degree program to specialize in sexual trauma. Keelin also works as the Program Specialist at GenerateHope, overseeing both the Recovery and Transition programs and providing valuable insight and support to staff and residents. Keelin’s speaking engagements have included Shared Hope International, The Washington Times podcast, DebX/Amplified voices, among many more. She also develops training videos and curriculum for organizations desiring to work with survivors. Keelin has dedicated her life to this cause and loves bringing others on board.